The Humane Society of the United States Issues Statement on Senate Bill 1221 Assembly Hearing

The following is a statement from Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, on the consideration of Senate Bill 1221 to prohibit inhumane bear and bobcat hounding, by the Assembly Water, Wildlife and Parks Committee. The bill failed to pass by one vote and moves forward on a motion for reconsideration:

“We fell one vote short in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on S.B. 1221 today, and two key lawmakers from Los Angeles County (Assemblymen Roger Hernandez and Mike Gatto) abstained and chose not to cast votes on legislation to outlaw the inhumane and unfair practice of chasing bears and bobcats with packs of radio-collared hounds. Today, Committee Chairman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and S.B. 1221 author Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) announced a compromise plan that provides a strong pathway forward for bear protection and management in California. There is no future for trophy hunting of bears with dogs, and we hope that these lawmakers join us in helping to codify these proposed policies when S.B. 1221 is reconsidered, as early as next week. We hope our supporters in Los Angeles and throughout California register their views with their lawmakers and let them know that they expect lawmakers to cast votes in favor of wildlife protection and against animal cruelty.”